WJSN’s Dawon Wins Best Female Solo Artist at 2025 KGMA, Achieving a Major Milestone Just 3 Months After Debut
Just three months after her solo debut, WJSN’s Dawon claimed the prestigious Best Solo Artist (Female) award at the 2025 Korea Grand Music Awards (KGMA). Backed by strong digital performance and positive stage reviews for her debut single “body,” Dawon has quickly emerged as one of the most notable female solo artists of the year.
The ceremony, held on November 15 at Inspire Arena in Incheon and hosted by NATTI of KISS OF LIFE and actress Nam Ji-hyun, erupted in loud cheers when Dawon’s name was announced—reflecting her rapid rise in visibility despite being a newly debuted soloist.
Her debut track “body”—characterized by its refreshing yet powerful vocals and addictive melody—quickly climbed Korea’s major digital charts. Her live performances, praised for stability and strong stage presence, frequently trended across SNS platforms. Korean media highlighted that Dawon successfully established her solo identity with a “distinctive vocal tone and refreshing musical style.”
In her acceptance speech, Dawon expressed, “I’m truly, truly grateful. It has only been three months since my solo debut, and being at my first award ceremony made me nervous, but seeing my fans helped me stay calm.” She thanked Starship Entertainment and her “Dawon Team,” adding, “I hope to continue growing as a female solo artist, and I would be happy if many people joined me on this long journey ahead.”
The 2025 KGMA is hosted by Ilgan Sports (Edaily M) and co-organized by the KGMA Committee, Creatoring, and DOD, with support from the Incheon Metropolitan Government and Incheon Tourism Organization. Award results incorporate data from Hanteo Chart, Genie, FLO, and Bugs, alongside professional evaluations. Since its launch last year, the KGMA has quickly grown into a major year-end K-pop ceremony, with this year’s event broadcast globally via KT ENA and TikTok Live, and in Japan through Hulu Japan.
With fierce competition among female soloists this year, Dawon’s victory over many long-established artists highlights the strong recognition and listening power she achieved with “body.” Industry experts point to her as one of 2025’s fastest-rising new solo acts to reach year-end award stages.